WHECTV
Updated: September 02, 2020 08:15 PM
Created: September 02, 2020 03:07 PM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Protesters have gathered outside the Public Safety Building over a man who activists and lawyers say died after Rochester police officers arrested him in March.
Protesters then began marching down Exchange Boulevard and into the Corn Hill neighborhood.
Protesters took a knee at Samuel McCree Way and Jefferson Avenue, near where the incident happened. They are currently blocking Jefferson Avenue.
Most of the group remains. People are dancing to “The Payback” by James Brown. pic.twitter.com/5F76VkjBnV
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 3, 2020
The protest's organizer, Ashley Gantt, said the protest may last "into the night."
Gantt explains the protest could last ‘into the night’ then announces fellow FTPR organizer Iman Abid (right) has been freed. pic.twitter.com/aCdVaPOdPI
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
Rochester Police are asking people to avoid the area.
The protest has moved to the area of Jefferson Ave/ Dr Samuel Mccree Way-please avoid the area. Thank you
— Rochester NY Police (@RochesterNYPD) September 2, 2020
Rochester's Black Lives Matter group, Free the People Roc held a news conference about the incident Wednesday morning.
Rochester City Councilmember Mitch Gruber said it's alarming that the incident is resurfacing in September.
"There is real desire and demand for transparent police accountability across the nation and I think that we have shown that here in Rochester and the fact that I am a sitting elected official and the fact I didn't know about this for five months is really alarming to me," Gruber said.
Police have fired gas and pepper balls into the crowd.
Another round of pepper balls/ gas fired by police. Protestors keep coming back. pic.twitter.com/gcAFm2M5HT
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
Gas and pepper balls were just fired off. Crowd moved back towards the fence. Currently, questions of where Mayor Lovely Warren is continue. pic.twitter.com/iDUHUrGfST
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
Gantt also said, "it is necessary to burn *expletive* down."
Ashley Gantt addresses the crowd. (1/2). pic.twitter.com/IwVujj2ms0
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
"I feel a weight and a responsibility to be stomping this pavement every single time I get a chance because there is a generation coming up behind us who need to see some modern-day leaders are standing up and stepping out," Gantt said.
News10NBC's crew at the scene reports seeing police in riot gear, and protesters are asking where Mayor Lovely Warren is.
Officers have put on riot gear. Crowd is asking where Mayor Warren is. pic.twitter.com/Jsz5x4gGhD
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
The protesters have moved up near the fence, rattling it.
Group rattled fence. Troopers & officers move up and push fence back. No pepper balls fired. pic.twitter.com/46bY9Z8TRr
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
Rochester and New York State Police rushed toward a group of protesters to break them up.
RPD and State Police rushed towards a line protestors. Apologies for the video- I was moving to get set. pic.twitter.com/BGVPb6r6rO
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
One woman asked officers to help be a part of the change and weed out "certain police officers."
This woman asks officers to help be part of the change- weed out ‘certain police officers.’ pic.twitter.com/skIamSixXd
— Andrew Hyman (@WHEC_AHyman) September 2, 2020
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Watch News10NBC at 6 for the latest developments.
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